here's one of those stories that might not make it onto the radio, but which is very related to our "Persecuted Church show of August 19. And, it's a good one to start, because it's all about searching for the Truth of the Gospel.
The Gospel is integral to our Statement of Faith - found on the Youthquake site. It is so simple a child can understand it, yet can be examined so deeply that one can spend a lifetime learning of how wonderful God's love is for us that caused him to lay down His life for our sins. As First Corinthians 15:-3-4 says, "Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day, according to the Scriptures.
What amazing love, that God himself manifested Himself as fully God and fully man, Jesus Christ. In Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.(Galatians 2:9) And, this Jesus died to take the punishment for each of our sins, He took our place onthe cross, and he was buried and he rose again the third day.(1 Cor. 15:3-4)
And yet, in some areas where there is extreme persecution of Christians, where there is extremely works based attitudes combined with rulers who want nothing to do with the amazing Grace of Jesus Christ, in those places people suffer and die for their faith.
We are each only a single, sincere prayer of repentance away from eternal life. And people seeking to know the freedom that Christ gives - freedom from fear, freedom from terror, freedom from guilt and shame - must sometimes come the way Nicodemus did to Jesus in John 3.
Now, while Nicodemus came by night so he wouldn't be seen, these people come to places like Global Media Outreach, where I (Doug) am one of numerous online missionaries. One recent one put in his comment "telecharger." Given the country he was from, I realized that might be so that if someone peeked at his cell phone they would only suspect that he was looking for technical support. Please pray forr this man's salvation and spiritual growth.
Thankfully, we are still free in this country to share the Gospel, but we must be active in doing so while we can. the Lord has each of us here in this day and age so we can sahre that plaina nd simple truth - that we are saved by grace "through faith, and that not of ourselves - it is the gift of God. Not of works lest any man should boast."(Eph. 2:8-9)
So, take advantage of times you are stuck in an airport by a delayed flight, or just out somewhere and the Spirit leads you to share the Gospel. Be a loving, Godly person so they can see evidence of Jesus in you, of course, but share it. And, let the Holy Spirit in you as a believer lead you to those who are seeking. Then, listen, and if they share problems, lovingly explain as Jesus did to the woman at the well, that that emptiness or pain or whatever else they feel, Jesus can fill those holes in they will only trust Him to do so, by simple faith.
Because, in this world we will have tribulation, but we can be of good cheer, Jesus Christ has overcome the world.(John 16:33) And, He will help them overcome, too. he won't always make out circumstances better, but He will guide us through them so we can show His love to others and let Him be glorified in this dark world.
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